For Marc Morial of the National Urban League, nurturing businesses led by women and people of color is a top priority.

“I want everybody to have an opportunity to sit at the economic table,” says Marc Morial, President and Chief Executive of the National Urban League, the largest and oldest civil rights organization in the country. Morial, who previously served as Mayor of New Orleans, notes that while entrepreneurs from underrepresented groups have boundless talent and drive, they don’t always have the right connections to open doors.

Studies by the Department of Commerce show that women- and minority-owned businesses in the U.S. have growth rates that beat the Standard & Poor’s 500, the board benchmark of the American market. So why are investors so tentative to finance them?

In this episode of Access & Opportunity, Carla Harris talks with Morial about common misconceptions around the risks of investing in women and multiculturally-owned businesses, and some of the hurdles they face as a result. In discussing how the National Urban League—together with partners like the National Development Council and Morgan Stanley—is breaking down the barriers of access to capital and helping fund incredible entrepreneurs, Morial sheds light on some of the easy fixes that governments, investors and nonprofits can make to open up access to all.

Inclusive Innovation & Opportunity

The guest speakers are neither employees nor affiliated with Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC. (“Morgan Stanley”). The views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of Morgan Stanley. The information and figures contained herein has been obtained from sources outside of Morgan Stanley and Morgan Stanley makes no representations or guarantees as to the accuracy or completeness of information or data from sources outside of Morgan Stanley. Morgan Stanley is not responsible for the information or data contained in this podcast.

This podcast does not provide individually tailored investment advice and is not a solicitation of any offer to buy or sell any security or other financial instrument or to participate in any trading strategy. It has been prepared without regard to the individual financial circumstances and objectives of persons who receive it.